The Best Hairstyles for Women in Their 30s, As Pictured on Celebrities

Find a Great Hairstyle for Your 30s

People in their 30s have tons of great hairstyles to choose from. Luckily, age doesn't mean you have to follow certain "rules" and go short or stop having fun with your hair. It may, however, mean that you choose a slightly more grown-up look than you did in your 20s.

In your 30s, your lifestyle might actually dictate your hairstyle as much as your hair texture and your face shape does. It's a pivotal decade for many people, and everyone's life will take them down a different path.

If you're busy powering ahead in your career, you may opt to chop your hair to your shoulders or shorter. The (obnoxious, outdated) idea behind this is that the more kept your hair is, the more seriously you will be taken in the office. (We say do what you want with your hair.)

If you're a parent with kids and not a lot of time, you may need a low-maintenance hairstyle. This means a cut that works with your natural hair texture, and doesn't require a lot of hair products or tools to keep it looking as good as possible.

If you're single and looking for love, you might just want to change your hair because you can. Don't worry, the right person is going to fall in love with you because you're comfortable in your skin—and that extends into your hairstyle. If you're sporty and love a pixie haircut or a shoulder-length cut pulled into a ponytail, then own it. There's nothing sexier than a person with confidence.

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Long Hair With Bangs

Jessica Biel.
Dimitrios Kambouris for Getty

Long hair with bangs is flattering because bangs are flattering. Anyone can wear long hair, but it can drag a face down, but bangs are always fresh and fabulous as long as you can maintain them. From blunt bangs to side-swept bangs, they're an excellent way to add maturity to your look without going too serious. Keep in mind the maintenance, though. Many salons offer free bang trims, but if you can't be bothered to travel every few weeks to see your stylist, you can just learn how to trim your own bangs. Make sure you get the right scissors.

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Long Hair, Side-Swept Bangs

Reese Witherspoon.
Toby Canham for Getty Images

No matter your age, you can get away with long hair—as long as it's in good condition. Avoid overdoing it on the chemical treatments, and pay attention to products and heat that might damage your hair. It's easier to maintain healthy hair than it is to try and restore damaged hair.

The Shag Hairstyle

Nicole Richie.
Jamie McCarthy for Getty

A shoulder-length cut that looks just a bit whispy is fabulous. Shags are super popular, because they look casual and unfussy but can be blow-dried into something a little more sophisticated. With the right cut, the shag can be air dried to perfection. Just a few spritzes of a sea salt spray (or Amika's No Salt Spray, $25,) a few scrunches with your hands, and you're on with your day.

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Gorgeous Color

Jessica Chastain.
Frederick M. Brown for Getty

While you may have played with funky hair color in your 20s, you might feel like that time in your life is over and you want to stick with something more subdued. You can color your hair any way you like still, though you might want to be more careful and choose one that flatters your skin tone.

Although, if you want to do your color at home, it's best to only go two shades darker or lighter than your natural color. Leave more extreme changes to the pros at your favorite salon.

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Bronde Hair

Bar Rafaeli.
Getty Images/Epsilon

Bronde hair is that magical, enviable color between blonde and brunette. It's a hot look, though—particularly for people who have naturally light brown or dark blonde hair. It's a great way to add a hint of color if you're scared of an all-over change. The highlights can be placed so they complement both your hairstyle and your best facial features.

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The Pixie

Michelle Williams.
Walter McBride for Getty

The pixie is a great cut for women of all ages. In your 30s, it can really play up a great bone structure, pretty eyes, and full lips. This look is great for trendsetters, short, petite women, and any woman who can rock the Audrey Hepburn look.

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The Classic Bob

Agyness Deyn.
Jamie McCarthy // Getty

The classic bob isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. No matter the year, it'll always be a stylish choice for women. Because it so deeply oozes sophistication, it can be a great cut for professionals. But understand before you cut it that, this cut can be high maintenance, and requires a bit of styling. In any case, you will likely need a great flat iron to keep your straight bob in phenomenal shape.

As for hair texture, bobs work best on thin to medium hair. If you have curly hair, a bob can easily turn into a triangle unless you get layers cut in and texturize the ends. If you have fine hair, ask your stylist for a "graduated bob," which has stacked layers cut shorter in the back and left longer in the front. It gives flatter hair much-needed body and height at the crown.

Anyone with a nice jawline and neck will look good in a bob. If you have a round face, a long bob is probably a better option for you.

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The Long Bob

Michele Placido.
Ernesto Ruscio for Getty

Long bobs are as popular as ever and they're extremely versatile. You can blow dry them straight, air dry them so your hair has some natural wave to it, or curl it into wavy perfection. Also, if you need to pull it back, there's still some length to work with.

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That Perfect Length

Margherita Missoni.
Tullio M. Puglia for Getty

There's a "perfect length" that's always considered on trend, right between the chin and shoulders. It looks great on women of all ages, but it seems to be most popular on women in their 30s and early 40s.

Not only is this a great length for every texture and face shape, it's also easy to care for. If you go with a style that complements your thick, curly, fine, or straight hair, your daily styling needs will be minimal at most. That may be why so many women adore it.

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Shoulder-length and Thick

Keira Knightley.
Alberto E. Rodriguez for Getty

Shoulder-length hair is the most versatile, flattering hair length on all face types and for all hair textures. The key to the perfect shoulder length cut lies in, of course, the length. It can't be too long or too short. It looks best when it just hits at the collarbone, or a bit above.

“The finish should appear blunt but should never be blunt, as blunt looks cheap,” explained stylist Harry Josh in Vogue magazine. “You texturize the ends with maybe a feather razor, so the line appears clean, but there is actually a lot of movement in it. Too much of a block, and it looks heavy.”

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Shoulder-Length With Bangs

Kerry Washington.
Alexandra Wyman for Getty

This is a fabulous look for middle-aged women that want to retain some youth. It combines the sexiness of the trendy blunt bang, with the shoulder-length cut that is easy to care for and style. If you like to play up your gorgeous eyes with makeup, the bangs and face-framing layers will accent them even more.

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Just Off the Beach Waves

Anne V.
Bryan Steffy for Getty

These long, beachy waves never go out of styles and you'll see it on almost every woman in Hollywood at some point. It's casual but has that super sexy look that screams confidence—and salt spray.

If you have long, thick hair, you can get away with this look. Even if your hair is on the thin side or doesn't grow long fast, you can fake it with the help of hair extensions.

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Boho Chic Braid

Kate Hudson.
Chris Weeks/Getty Images for Fabletics

Braids are popular amongst women with long hair, because they look sweet and youthful while keeping your hair fully out of the way. While braid trends come and go, and they tend to be very popular among younger women, there's no reason you can't wear one in your 30s.

Braids are very pretty and casual. If you wear one in a boho-chic slightly unkempt way that still looks put together together, it can be super flattering.